Author Archives: Kristina Thomas

Title: Centennial Archivist

Library/Department: Rubenstein Library, University Archives

Location: West Campus

Years at Duke: 2 years, 4 months (as of December 2024)

In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke Libraries?

I work in Research Services at the Rubenstein, which means that I do reference, instruction and work desk shifts. In particular, I’ve worked on a lot of historical projects that have been spun up during the Centennial year, including the exhibit that was in the Chappell gallery (Our Duke: Constructing a Century), working on a documentary and a book with the President’s office, and helping out any other Centennial projects across campus.

If I had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far?

I’ll pick two things. I really enjoy working with colleagues in the RL and DUL, and I really like finding fun archival pieces to show in class sessions.

Best thing I’ve read/watched/listened to recently?

I’ve finally read Catcher in the Rye, many years too late. While not my favorite book, it was a good read!

What do you like most about living in the Triangle?

The weather is a welcome improvement over Chicago winters.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I enjoy watching tv and movies with friends, I volunteer, and I’ve gotten into yoga! I enjoy grabbing a good meal with friends, too!

Title: Research Services Librarian & Senior Lecturing Fellow

Library/Department: J. Michael Goodson Law Library

Location: School of Law, Duke University

Years at Duke: I am in my third year of full-time employment, but before I joined full-time, I had the opportunity to intern at the library for a year, so technically, I am in my fourth year.

In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries?

I provide reference services to students, faculty, and public patrons at the Law Library. In addition, I manage the Library’s Faculty Research Assistant Program and teach in the law school. This semester, I taught in the first year Legal Analysis Research and Writing course and an advanced legal research course, AI and Legal Research. In addition, when I have time, I work on my own scholarship.

If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far?

Like most librarians, I love learning new things, so my favorite part is when I am thrust into research in an unfamiliar area. Recently, with the advent of Generative AI, I have gotten to explore AI and its potential for use in Legal Research.

What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently?

I am currently binge-watching Black Cake. I am only on Episode 5, so no spoilers if you’ve already seen it!

What do you like most about living in The Triangle?

We recently welcomed a puppy into our home, so I’ve loved exploring all the walking paths and parks with her.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I love crafting. I’m not very good at it, but I enjoy it none the less. Currently, I am cross-stitching a custom design inspired by Wednesday Addams for my daughter, which will one day be turned into a pillow.

Title: Librarian for Psychology and Neuroscience & STEM Engagement

Library/Department: Natural Sciences & Engineering in Research & Public Services (mid-transition out of Library Human Resources)

Location: Perkins

Years at Duke: 2

In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I act as the library liaison to the Psychology & Neuroscience department. I provide research consultations to faculty and students; purchase psychology books for the collection; and provide instruction to undergraduate and graduate classes in the department. I also teach library instruction in Writing 101s, provide library instruction to various groups across campus, and participate in the Ask a Librarian chat-mail service.

If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I’m still very new to this role, but I missed working with students and have greatly enjoyed getting to assist students with their research once again. I love seeing a student have that lightbulb moment when they understand for the first time how to effectively harness a database for their research project.

What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? For any action/comedy fans out there, Slow Horses Season 4 just dropped and I’ve been loving it so far! I also just finished Flynn Berry’s Northern Spy to prepare for the recent release of her sequel, Trust Her. It’s an espionage thriller set in Northern Ireland, and I found the setting and character development cozy and fascinating.

What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I love the access to nature in the Triangle. I grew up in a dense metro area where parks like Eno and Umstead were hours away, so I find the Triangle’s combination of urban amenities and nature to be a great balance!

What do you like to do outside of work? I spend a lot of time reading, hiking with my husband, babysitting (and spoiling!) my niece and nephew, and getting to know my brand new puppy.

Title: Technical Services Archivist

Library/Department: Rubenstein Library Technical Services

Location: Smith Warehouse

Years at Duke: 2.5 years

In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I arrange and describe archival collections. I work with different formats like paper, audiovisual, born digital, and photographs. I primarily process University Archives collections so if any archival materials come into RLTS for University Archives, there’s a good chance I will be the person processing it.

If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? Working with the materials! I am interested in institutional history so I find working with collections related to the university’s early history and making those materials accessible to researchers very rewarding.

What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? Lately I’ve been re-listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Heavyweight.

What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I am not a fan of cooking so I love the variety of restaurants in the area.

What do you like to do outside of work? I’ve been trying to improve my crocheting skills. I also do diamond paintings, which is basically color by number, but I think they are super relaxing.

Title: Chief of Staff to the University Librarian and Vice Provost for Library Affairs

Library/Department: Office of the University Librarian

Location: Rubenstein Library, Suite 254

Years at Duke: 1 Year, 8 months

In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? Simply put, my main tasks are to assist Joe, and to oversee daily operations of the Office of the University Librarian through the coordination of calendars and communications, management of budgets, and general logistical support. More broadly, I like to think of myself as a resource for all the Libraries, assisting where needed and overseeing the implementation of our strategic plan.

If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? The best part of my job is being able to work in a library! But also a library on such a beautiful campus. I can’t help but think this everyday as I walk up Campus Drive, excepting rainy days, of course!

What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? The best thing I read recently was I’m Not Holding Your Coat: My Bruises-and-All Memoir of Punk Rock Rebellion by Nancy Barile. I love a good music memoir, and this was especially intriguing to me because of her recounting her role in the punk scene in Philadelphia with which I wasn’t previously familiar.

What do you like most about living in The Triangle? What don’t I love? I love how easy it is to get out into nature–hiking, biking, swimming; it’s all at our finger tips. The mountains and the beach are only hours away. But I don’t always want to get away! There is so much to do in the triangle from seeing great shows to eating fantastic food. I am very happy to have landed in this area.

What do you like to do outside of work? I am pretty avid reader, but I also love to sew and knit. I am fairly active in the Raleigh cycling community as well, riding for the Oak City Cycling Race Team (this does not mean I am fast or an excellent bike rider). Given my background in events, I’m often putting my skills to work helping my team put on races. I also do most of our current design work, from flyers to our most recent mountain bike jersey design (I like to pretend I am an illustrator/designer from time to time). But MOST of my time is spent caring for my two dogs and four cats, which is far too many animals to have in one house.

Title: Rice Diet Program Records, Processing Librarian

Library/Department: Medical Center Library and Archives

Location: Medical Center Archives

Years at Duke: 1.5 (in my current position)

In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries?

Essentially I am a processing archivist and was hired as part of a three-year grant to arrange and describe the archival records of the Rice Diet Program. This is a large collection that consists of over 450 linear feet of materials. I also serve as liaison to the BIN Foundation and the on-going Rice Diet research project that focuses on the impact of the Rice Diet on hypertension and metabolic diseases.

If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far?

It’s hard to pick just one thing so I’ll give two. First, I am connected to a great group of colleagues here at the Medical Center Library and Archives. And second, the collection I‘m working with is endlessly fascinating from a historical, medical and cultural perspective and I love knowing the work I’m doing benefits an ongoing medical research project.

What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently?

Lately, I’ve enjoyed reading many of the retellings of classical mythology and folklore like, Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati and The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo. But, I also like speculative fiction and first contact sci-fi. Some of my recent favorite authors are N.K. Jemisin, Ann Leckie, Sylvain Neuvel and Lindsay Ellis.

What do you like most about living in The Triangle?

My favorite thing about living in The Triangle is its proximity to everything and because the weather is so mild you can enjoy outdoor activities almost year-round. There is always something to do, see or become involved with.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Aside from reading, I love to travel, try local cuisine/foods and experience different cultures. I also enjoy spending time in, and learning about nature. Some of my favorite activities are gardening, hiking, going on foraging tours, and spending time with my husband and our dog.

Title: E-Access Librarian

Library/Department: Electronic Resources & Serials Acquisitions (ERSA)

Location: Smith Warehouse

Years at Duke: 9 months

In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I support access and discovery of our e-resources and fix any access issues as they pop up.

If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I love the flexibility of my role. I work mostly off-site and with my work projects, none of my days are exactly the same.

What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I have two great things to share! The best fiction I’ve read recently was the first book in The MurderBot Diaries: All Systems Red by Martha Wells. My best recent non-fiction read was How to Keep House while Drowning by KC Davis.

What do you like most about living in The Triangle? Each part of the Triangle gives me a different vibe and experience and since I’m fairly new to Duke & North Carolina, it’s all an exploratory journey.

What do you like to do outside of work? I like to write fiction novels and novellas, watch movies with friends, and travel across the country solo or with my family.

Title: Collection Analysis Librarian

Library/Department: Collection Strategy & Development.

Location: Perkins

Years at Duke: About 7 years at Duke total (As Academic Assistant at Duke Law from 2013-2018, and at the library about 2 years (including my internship with ERSA)).

In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries?

Investigate questions about the library collections (electronic and print) by researching and combining data from different sources.

If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far?

It’s the access to resources for me, hands down. I absolutely love having access to all of the books and journal articles and databases. And if we don’t have it – I can inter-library loan it! I feel like nothing is unavailable – it’s a beautiful thing.

What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently?

I was doing some research in the stacks and ran across the book A Dream in Polar Fog by Yuri Rytkheu. It’s a beautiful description of life in the Chukchi community in northern Siberia in the early 1900’s.

What do you like most about living in The Triangle?

There’s a lot to love about living in this area – I love that we are equidistant from the beach and the mountains, and there are so many things to do – museums, performing arts, restaurants, hiking.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Title: Associate Director for Content and Discovery

 Location/Library Department: Medical Center Library

Years at Duke: 1.3 years

In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries?

I oversee all aspects of the Medical Center Library’s general collections, including collection development, licensing, resource management and discovery. Additionally, I provide oversight of the library’s access services unit.

If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far?

The best part of my job so far is collaborating with talented and dedicated, and team members on a daily basis.

What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently?

Recently, I have been reading Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”, a dystopian novel that explores a futuristic society based around Henry Ford’s assembly line. It is captivating and leaves you wondering what will happen next.

What do you like most about living in The Triangle?

I appreciate the fantastic food scene and rich selection of international cuisine and grocery options.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside work, I enjoy reading, cooking and traveling.